Technical

Official Number: 165352
Yard Number: 554
Completed: 1936
Gross Tonnage: 655
Net Tonnage: 251
Length: 188.1 ft
Breadth: 28.1 ft
Depth: 15.5 ft
Engine: T.3-cyl & LP turbine with DR gearing & hydraulic coupling by Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde.
Built: Deutsche Schiffs und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde

History

1936: Ordered by Leverhulme Ltd, London to absorb frozen credits in Germany.
11.1936: Completed by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG Seebeck, Wesermünde (Yd.No.554) for MacLine Ltd, London (Leverhulme Ltd) as NORTHERN CHIEF.
11.11.1936: Registered at London (LO165). Fishing out of Fleetwood. Edward D. W. Lawford designated manager.
8.12.1936: First landing at Fleetwood, 1,950 boxes £1,443 gross.
29.7.1937: At Wyre Light whilst awaiting the signal to proceed into dock, struck steam trawler COLLENA (FD115) (Sk. H. Chard) amidships on the port side causing extensive damage to wheelhouse and bulwarks.
30.9.1937: Last landing at Fleetwood, 1,080 boxes £665 gross.
9.10.1937: Sold to Northern Trawlers Ltd, London. H. Markham Cook, Grimsby designated manager.
28.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a patrol/armed boarding vessel (1-4”) (P.No.4.34) (Hire rate £425.15.0d/month).
6.1940: Based Kirkwall as armed boarding vessel (Lieut. H. Kirkwood RN).
1941: Based Kirkwall (Lieut. N. L. Knight RNR).
27.8.1941: In North Atlantic south of Iceland. At around 10.00pm in position 62 15N 18 5W, first Allied vessel to respond to radio message from aircraft and find the disabled U.boat (U570), damaged earlier by a Hudson of 269 Sqdr (Sdr Leader J. H. Thomson). Surrendered to aircraft, believing the submarine to be severely damaged and chlorine gas present. During the night joined by HM Trawler KINGSTON AGATE (P.No.FY212) (H489) (Lieut. Henry Owen L’Estrange RNR), HMS BURWELL (P.No.H94), (Lt Cdr. Sidney R.J. Woods RNR) Canadian destroyer HMCS NIAGARA (P.No.I57) (Ty Lieut. Thomas Philip Ryan RCNR) and two A/S Whalers.
28.8.1941: At daybreak U570 attacked by Norwegian Northrop N-3PB1 unaware that U.boat had surrendered. Called off by BURWELL. In worsening weather difficult to attach tow, mistakenly thinking that the Germans were not co-operating, BURWELL C.O. ordered a burst of machine gun fire, unfortunately wounding five of the U.boat crew. KINGSTON AGATE to windward, drifted a Carley-float down and an officer and three naval ratings put onboard; German officers and wounded transferred to KINGSTON AGATE. Throrough search but Enigma machine had been jettisoned; useful code books taken. Tow secured by KINGSTON AGATE and remaining U.boat crew taken off by HMCS NIAGARA which came alongside. Tow commenced for Iceland.
29.8.1940: Arrived Þorlákshöfn, southern Iceland, but in view of uncertainty of U.boat condition, beached.*
1.1942: Attached Northern Patrol, at Grimsby refitting.
3.1942: Transferred on loan to US Navy (RN crew) operating East Coast USA.
10.1942: Returned to Royal Navy and operated in South Atlantic based at Cape Town.
5.2.1946: Returned after survey and restoration at Birkenhead (William A. Bennett, manager).
12.1946: London registry closed.
12.1946: Registered at Grimsby (GY445).
2.1947: Sold to H/F Gylfi, Vatneyri, Iceland.
1947: Remeasured 625g 251n.
2.1947: Grimsby registry closed.
2.1947: Registered at Patreksfirdi as GYLFI (BA77)
1950: Sold to Ludwig Janssen & Co, Wesermünde. Registered at Bremerhaven as ISLAND (BX536).
1950: Remeasured 638g 235n.
1957: Sold to W. Ritscher, Hamburg for breaking up.
15.7.1957: Delivered Hamburg.

Note: Lieutenant Henry Owen L’Estrange RNR, from Co. Sligo was subsequently awarded the DSC for his part in the salvage of U570.

– U570 was surveyed by Lt. Colvin and found to be capable of repair. Refloated, spent three weeks in Hvalfjörður under repair and trials. One G7a torpedo was off-loaded and later sent to the USA. 29.9.1941: Sailed for Barrow in Furness (Lieut. George R. Colvin RN) with prize crew escorted by HMS SALADIN (P.No.H54) (Lt. Cdr Laurence J. Dover RN) and HM Trawler KINGSTON AGATE.
3.10.1940: Arrived Barrow for full inspection.
5.10.1941 Commissioned in Royal Navy as HM Submarine GRAPH (P.No.46).
21.6.1943 De-commissioned.
20 3.1944. Stranded west coast of Islay on passage to be broken up. Broken up in situ in 1961.

Click to enlarge images

S.T. Gylfi BA77
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

S.T. Island BX536
Picture courtesy of the JJ Collection

Changelog
01/01/2009: Page published. 8 updates since then.
18/11/2017: Removed FMHT watermarks from images.
03/01/19: Updated the history.

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and Birgir Þórisson

Technical

Official Number: 127829
Yard Number: 544
Completed: 1908
Gross Tonnage: 283
Net Tonnage: 123
Length: 135 ft
Breadth: 23 ft
Depth: 12.1 ft
Built: Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull
Engine: 500ihp T.3-cyl by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull

History

7.3.1908: Launched by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Hull (Yd.No.544) for Crown Steam Fishing Co Ltd, Grimsby as NEW CROWN.
6.4.1908: Registered at Grimsby (GY369). George E. J. Moody designated manager.
4.1908: Completed. Fishing out of Fleetwood. William Moody Kelly managing agent.
26.4.1908: Landed maiden catch at Fleetwood (Sk. J. Dyer), 10 days 740 boxes.
29.4.1908: At Fleetwood Police Court, John Hall was charged with disobeying lawful commands in failing to join the ship which was delayed for one hour while a replacement was found. Hall was engaged as cook at £1 per day and trip money. The Magistrates having heard all the evidence sentenced Hall to 21 days imprisonment with hard labour.
7.10.1908: Landed 500 boxes (430 herring, 40 coallies.
17.3.1909: Landed 165 boxes.
14.3.1910: Landed 156 boxes.
3.8.1910: Landed 255 boxes.
21.8.1910: Homeward from St. Kilda ground, in vicinity of Mull of Galloway, picked up boat with eleven crew and two trippers from steam trawler VIVO (FD22), ashore 31/2 miles NW of Mull of Galloway. Landed skipper, Richard Wright, mate and chief engineer at East Tarbet to standby vessel for possible salvage. Called Dunmore to inform owners and continued passage to Fleetwood.
22.8.1910: Landed survivors at Fleetwood and 405 boxes fish.
15.12.1910: Landed 270 boxes.
31.3.1911; Landed 400 boxes.
28.9.1911: Landed 400 boxes.
28.2.1912: National Coal Strike. Miners’ Federation of Great Britain seeking to establish a minimum wage. Bunker coal prices treble the contract price, but fish prices fell by 50%.
11.3.1912: Landed 419 boxes.
11.3.1912: Temporarily laid up along with MARJORIE (FD139), LIZZIE MELLING (PN45) and ANNIE MELLING (PN61). “ … if the present state of affairs continues other trawlers will follows suit … other vessels are going to sea with depleted bunkers. “
6.4.1912: Government intervention. Coal Mines Act passed, establishing a minimum wage for miners.
30.12.1912: Landed 175 boxes.
4.2.1913: Sailed Fleetwood for grounds off NW coast of Ireland (Sk.James Brunton); twelve crew all told.
7.2.1913: Left the fishing grounds off Tory Island for Moville, Co. Donegal to land Ernest Wood who was seriously ill. Returned to fishing grounds. After 12 hours fishing encountered the full force of a hurricane outside Inishowen Head and ran for shelter in Culdaff Bay.
9.2.1913: Sailed Culdaff Bay to try and fish again but too rough to shoot the trawl and returned to the Bay. After dinner another attempt was made to fish, heavy seas were running at the time, coped with weather until about 6.35pm. Some nine miles SE of Tory Island encountered huge seas, one striking the trawler on the starboard bow, taking out the wheelhouse windows, the port boat and everything moveable on deck. The skipper and deckhand William Stewart were in the wheelhouse, the latter on the wheel. The skipper was badly cut by broken glass. Shortly after, three more huge wave struck the ship, shifting the bunker coal giving a heavy list to port, washing overboard Jonathan Snape, second engineer, and the lights went out leaving them in darkness. The mate, Frank Brunton, brother of the skipper, went into the wheelhouse to tell his brother that the second engineer had been washed overboard. He noticed that the skipper was bleeding from a gash on his forehead. The ship was put about before the sea to search for Snape, but whilst going round, struck by yet another huge sea carrying overboard the cook, Carl Hansen, the starboard boat, the wheelhouse roof, flooding the engine room and washing the hatches off. In the wheelhouse all were thrown in a heap. The mate found his brother lying unconscious on the deck and assisted in getting him into the forecastle. At about 10.00pm. the mate, James Brunton, took charge of the trawler and steered for calmer water on a course for Moville. At midnight, Stewart came into the wheelhouse and said that the skipper was dead.
10.2.1913: Arrived Moville at 10.00am. Dr Riley attended. After examining the deceased he stated that death was due to bleeding from a severed artery in his wrist. In the evening Capt Wright and Mr Joners, Superintendent Engineer accompanied by the Insurance Surveyor left Fleetwood by Belfast boat for Moville arriving at 6.00pm on Tuesday evening.
11.3.1913: After examining the trawler the Surveyor decided that she was fit to proceed to Fleetwood. With Capt. Wright in command, sailed Moville at 9.100pm. for Fleetwood.
12.3.1913: Arrived Fleetwood at 3.30pm.
13.3.1913: At the Coroner’s Court at Fleetwood, the story of how Skipper Brunton died was told and having heard all the evidence and taking the circumstances into account, presented the facts to the jury, who returned a verdict of accidental death as a result of the injuries received.
22.5.1913: Landed 190 boxes.
2.9.1913: Off Point of Ayre, IoM, at about 8.00pm in collision with steam trawler KITTY (FD179), striking her a glancing blow, slightly twisting her stem and dinging her shell plating. Sustained superficial damage. Subsequently KITTY making water in forepeak, put into Campbeltown for temporary repairs before returning to Fleetwood.
26.9.1913: Landed 230 boxes.
21.11.1913: Rough weather on the fishing grounds, landed 106 boxes.
2.3.1914: Landed 230 boxes.
14.4.1914: Landed 165 boxes.
22.6.1914: As a result of the dispute existing between the Fleetwood Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association Ltd and the Humber Amalgamated Steam Trawlers Engineers’ and Firemen’s Union (Fleetwood Branch) concerning the dismissal of the ASHLYN Ch.Eg, one of 53 trawlers ‘held up’ at the port.
24.6.1914: Following a meeting between Association and Union representatives, Ch Eng re-instated, all action withdrawn.
7.1914: Sold to Joseph Arman, Marseilles.
26.3.1915: Grimsby registry closed.
4.1915 – 1916 not accounted for.
1916: Sold to Marine National Francaise. Converted to an armed patrol trawler. Renamed RENARD.
27.8.1916: Commissioned and based at Bône, Algeria.
1917: Based Brest as part of the Central Patrol Division of Brittany (Senior Master Pilot Pierre Auguste Le Blay); thirty crew all told.
9.10.1917: Escorting a convoy in the Atlantic off Finistère.
14.10.1917: Left the convoy.
19.10.1917: In very dark weather but a calm sea arrived at Wolf Rock for a rendezvous with a convoy at 0400. By early forenoon the convoy had not arrived Sailed slowly towards Brest, crossing to the north of the entrance to Fromveur Passage between the island of Ushant and Kérêon Lighthouse on Men Tensal. The northern limit of the Iroise Sea.
At 0910, 3 miles N60E of Men Tensal, suffered a violent explosion at the after end, the engine and boiler room flooded and the ship foundered very quickly in position 48.28N 4.58W. The captain, quartermaster and helmsman were on the bridge, two gunners forward and aft and a look-out at the mast. The life rafts were swamped or demolished and only rose to the surface several minutes after the ship had sunk. Among those who escaped seven men were in their bunks in the after cabin; the rest were on deck or on the casings. Those on watch were wearing lifejackets and this saved two of the men who could not swim. The crew who were aft, including the master mechanic, were killed by the explosion. Captain Le Blay was thrown into the sea wearing a life jacket but was pulled under by the swell and no one saw him afterwards. Torpedo Boat 260 was 3 miles north of Platresses and on hearing the explosion came to the scene picking up thirteen survivors and one body. 260 returned to Brest at 1145 landed survivors and the body. Also on the scene was the Molène, Finistère lifeboat AMIRAL-ROUSSIN (Cox. Yves Cariou) which had been launched at 0915. Cariou took the lifeboat down the Fromveur Passage searching the islands before returning to Molène at 1300. Twelve men MPK/drowned*.

Note: The position given for the sinking corresponds with the minefield laid by U-boat (UC79) on 14.10.1917.

Lost*. Thirteen men are listed.

APPRIOU Antoine, born 6 Jan 1882 at LANDÉDA (Finistère), Sailor gunner. Batchelor
BERGEAULT Jean René, born 29 June 1891 at SAINT-RENAN (Finistère), Quarter master electrician.S.F. Batchelor
FOUCAULT Félix François Marie, born 14 June 1892 at AMBON (Morbihan), Second class sailor helmsman- Batchelor
GOUABAULT Albert Marie Pierre, born 14 April 1888 at SABLÉ-SUR-SARTHE (Sarthe), Master mechanic Married
GUILLOU Jean Guillaume, born 15 November 1884 at ROSCOFF (Finistère) Second class sailor, no speciality. Married
GEFFROY Laurent Marie, born 26 March 1887 at PLOUEZOC’H (Finistère), Quarter master gunner. Married
HÉLIAS Julien, born 1 April 1882 at PENMARCH (Finistère), Third class sailor no speciality.
LANGELLIER Louis Marc, born 17 September 1886 at PUTEAUX (Hauts-de-Seine), First class sailor, mechanic Married
Le BIHAN Louis, born 4 May 1888 at SAINT-POL-DE-LÉON (Finistère), Quarter master for manouvres. Married
Le BLAY Pierre Auguste, born 19 October 1879 at SAINT-QUAY-PORTRIEUX (Côtes-d’Armor), Captain Pilot- married
MOREL Louis Marie Victor, born 26 February 1887 at JANS (Loire-Atlantique), 1st class sailor gunner.
PELLÉ Ernest, born 4 January 1882 at GOULVEN (Finistère), Second in charge, mechanic. Married
QUILGARS François Marie, born 4 January 1891 at Le MERZER (Côtes-d’Armor), Quarter master artillery. Married

Click to enlarge images

S.T. New Crown GY369
Picture from the Internet

S.T. New Crown GY369
Picture courtesy of Bill Blow

S.T. New Crown GY369
Picture courtesy of David Slinger

S.T. Renard
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
31/12/2008: Page published. 3 revisions since then.
29/10/2014: Picture added.
16/05/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
21/08/2021: Added image.
04/11/2021: Updated history and technical details.
11/11/2021: Further update to history.

Additional information courtesy of Christine Simm and Birgir Þórisson

Technical

Official Number: 123388
Yard Number: 434
Completed: 1907
Gross Tonnage: 221.33
Net Tonnage: 44.81
Length: 115.60 ft
Breadth: 22.65 ft
Depth: 13.50 ft
Built: Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen
Engine: 460ihp T.3.cyl by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen

History

13.8.1907: Launched Mrs W. R. Wetherly at Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Yd.No.434) for Wetherly’s Steam Fishing Co Ltd (64/64), Aberdeen as MARY WETHERLY.
9.1907: Completed at a cost of £6,412 8s 9d.
6.9.1907: Registered at Aberdeen (A159). William R. Wetherly designated manager.
1907: Landing at Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
21.9.1907: Landed 120 boxes/1 score.
12.10.1907: Landed 180 boxes/51/2 tons.
19.10.1907; Landed 180 boxes/2 score.
9.11.1907: Landed 100 boxes/13 tons side fish.
27.12.1907: Landed 230 boxes/4 tons side fish.
1908: Landing at Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
25.2.1908: Landed 240 boxes/2 tons side fish.
6.5.1908: Landed 190 boxes/71/2 tons side fish.
9.10.1908: Landed 180 boxes /111/2 tons side fish.
1.1909: Fishing out of Fleetwood (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
18.1.1909: Rough weather on the fishing grounds, landed 80 boxes.
8.2.1909: Landed 100 boxes. 15.3.1909: Landed 240 boxes.
26.3.1909: Landed 250 boxes.
22.9.1909: Landed 250 boxes.
1.11.1909: Landed 220 boxes. To return to Aberdeen.
16.11.1909: At Aberdeen landed 101/2 tons.
30.4.1910: Landed 200 boxes.400 score.
1910: Fishing out of Fleetwood (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
26.4.1910: Landed 200 boxes.
16.6.1910: At Aberdeen landed 130 boxes/25 score.
17.6.1910: At Aberdeen landed 120 boxes/5 tons side fish.
12.8.1910: Landed 280 boxes.
24.8.1910: Landed 215 boxes.
19.9.1910: Landed 414 boxes including 200 boxes herring, made £256 gross.
10.1910: Returned to Aberdeen.
19.10.1910: Landed 171/2 tons.
9.11.1910: Landed 120 boxes/30score.
21.12.1910: Landed 160 boxes/12 score.
19.1.1911: Landed 50 boxes/14 score.
30.1.1911: Landed 100 boxes/15 tons side fish.
21.3.1911: Landed from an Iceland trip 260 boxes/89 tons long fish.
26.4.1911: Landed from an Iceland trip 93 tons.
6.1911: Again fishing out of Fleetwood (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, managing agents).
6.6.1911: Landed 305 boxes.
3.8.1911: Landed 123 boxes.
19.8.1911: Landed 210 boxes.
8.1911: Returned to Aberdeen.
4.10.1911: Landed 600 boxes of herring in very good condition which made 6s-9s/box.
25.12.1911: Landed at Aberdeen.
2.1.1912: Landed 190 boxes/25 score.
w/e 20.4.1912: Sailed Aberdeen in company with MARGARET WETHERLY (A344) and LOCH LEE (A325) to conduct operations in Iceland.
24.6.1912: At Aberdeen landed a good shot from Faroe grounds.
19.8.1912: At Fleetwood landed 210 boxes.
13.10.1912: At Fleetwood, shortly before 1.00 am, fire broke out in cabin, alarm raised by watchman and extinguished by two dock workers, Bagshaw and Rose, before fire brigade arrived. Only minor damage sustained.
11.1912: Returned to Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
22.11.1912: Landed 230 boxes/2 tons side fish.
26.12.1912: Landed 300 boxes/8 score.
4.1.1913: Landed 220 boxes/1 ton side fish.
27.1.1913: Landed 50 boxes/1 score.
30.4.1913: Landed 360 boxes/400 score.
3.7.1913: At Fleetwood landed 100 boxes – part landing.
4.7.1913: At Fleetwood landed 120 boxes – part landing.
12.8.1913: At Fleetwood landed 160 boxes.
12.8.1913: At Fleetwood magistrates court, Thomas Shaw, Warbrick Place was charged with stealing two hake, value 10s. After hearing the evidence of John Edward Singleton, shipbuilder, Shaw was fined £8 including costs or in default one month’s imprisonment (The severity of the fine was to deter others who had made a practise of stealing fish).
9.1913: Returned to Aberdeen (Messrs Smith, Jameson & Holmes, agents).
3.10.1913: Light landing supplemented with 40 crans of herring (42s-49s for large, 31s 6d for small).
5.11.1913: Homeward to Aberdeen from a nine day trip with 70 boxes (Sk. Kennard), in thick haze and a flat calm sea, but a stiff breeze. In the morning about 21/2 hours before high water went ashore at the Downies, near Portlethen, Kincardineshire. Villagers alerted by the ship’s siren, arrived on the scene and a boat was manned under Mr George Wood. The boat put out and found the crew comfortable and the trawler only superficially damaged. A rope was taken ashore and the vessel moored. About an hour later the Muchalls Life-Saving Brigade arrived and two men who wished to go ashore to notify the owners of the situation were taken off. Remainder, not being in any danger, elected to remain onboard. Subsequently refloated by Aberdeen Mutual Steamship & Trawlers Insurance Co salvage vessel OCEAN BRIDE (175grt/1894) and towed to Aberdeen. After landing placed on pontoon for inspection.
1.1.1914: Tonnage altered to 80.74 net under provision of Merchant Shipping Act 1907.
21.1.1914: Landed 300 boxes/16 score.
23.3.1914: Landed 150 boxes/11 score.
6.5.1914: Landed 390 boxes/75 score.
10.6.1914: Landed 160 boxes/52 score.
5.7.1914: At Fleetwood landed 345 boxes.
21.9.1914: At Fleetwood landed 167 boxes.
19.10.1914: At Fleetwood Police Court, Sk. John Bowman, Aberdeen was charged with embezzling portions of the catch. The trawler left Fleetwood on 1st October for the West of Scotand grounds with defendant as skipper; he was judged to be not perfectly sober, but fit to go to sea. During the trip, Bowman went ashore at Stornoway, Tobermory and Oban and took fish ashore, returning on one occasion with a bottle of liquor. Defendant was drunk repeatedly during the voyage which ended on 17th October. From Stornoway, George Thomas William Kennard, a director of the owners, received a communication and in response sent a telegram telling the agent to get the ship away in charge of the mate. On the 15th, in response to a message from the Ch. Eng, Archibald McIntosh, Kennard sent a further telegram to Oban derating the skipper and placing Facey, a deckhand who held a skippers ticket, in command. Facey brought the trawler from Oban back to Fleetwood. The trawler landed six baskets of fish from seven hauls. The Bench considered that the defendant had misused the confidence of the owners and they imposed a fine of £10 including costs or two months’ imprisonment.
1.4.1915: At Aberdeen landed from an Iceland trip 53 tons, £840 gross, a record for a local vessel since the start of the war.
8.3.1915: At Aberdeen landed 31 tons.
5.4.1915: Landed from an Iceland trip, made £860.
4.1915: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (1-6pdr) (Ad.No.1345).
1916: Based Malta with Unit 96 – patrol & escort duties.
16.7.1916: With trawler DRYPOOL (Ad.No.1753)(H375) escorting British steamer KHEPHREN (2774grt/1905), Liverpool for Alexandria. When some 178 miles E of Malta in position 36.08N 17.16E KHEPHREN was torpedoed and sunk by U-boat (U32) All crew picked by the two trawlers.
1919: Returned to owner.
25.1.1919: Sold to James Alexander McGlashan, Granton. James Alexander McGlashan designated managing owner.
6.2.1919: Sold to James Johnston, Newhaven, Edinburgh.
6.2.1919: Aberdeen registry closed.
14.2.1919: Registered at Granton (GN3). James Johnston designated managing owner.
26.1.1920: Sold to Maurice Wilkins & George Moreland, Manchester. Joseph A. Taylor, Fleetwood designated manager.
3.7.1920: Arrived Burntisland from Aberdeen to load bunker coal, on completion sailed for Shetland fishing grounds.
1.9.1920: At Aberdeen landed 140 crans herring (25s 6d to 51s 6d per cran).
1.1921: Continued fishing out of Aberdeen. Sam Isaacs (Aberdeen) Ltd designated managers. On charter to Bookless Brothers, Aberdeen/Sheffield to operate from Hafnarfjordur, Iceland, ‘salting’.
6.1921: Returned.
12.1921: Sold to Andrew Lewis, Aberdeen.
20.12.1921: Granton registry closed.
22.12.1921: Registered at Aberdeen (A818). Andrew Lewis designated managing owner.
1922: Sold to Andrew Lewis & J. Brodie, Aberdeen. Andrew Lewis designated manager.
17.7.1922: At Fleetwood land 170 boxes.
12.8.1922: Registered at Aberdeen as FORT JAMES (A818) (BoT Minute No. M/RG1342/1922 dated 7.8.1922). To work as a liner.
30.10.1922: At Fleetwood landed 60 boxes.
30.11.1922: Sheltering at Stromness Harbour, stress of weather.
1923: Fishing out of Aberdeen.
6.6.1923: Arrived Methil from Aberdeen to load bunker coal, on completion sailed for North Sea grounds.
9.7.1923: At Fleetwood landed 150 boxes – part landing.
10.7.1923: Landed 70 score roker and 40 score ling.
7.10.1923: Arrived Granton from Aberdeen to load bunker coal.
3.10.1923: Sailed for North Sea grounds.
6.12.1923: Arrived Granton from Aberdeen to load bunker coal subsequently sailed for North Sea grounds.
1.2.1924: Landed at Aberdeen.
4.12.1923: Arrived Granton from Aberdeen to load bunker coal.
5.2.1924: Sailed for North Sea grounds.
2.1924: Continued lining out of Aberdeen.
11.1924: Reverted to trawling.
14.6.1924: At Aberdeen landed a large King fish (White Trevally) which was caught off Orkney and fetched a fair price.
3.1926: Fitted out again for lining. Landing at Aberdeen.
27.5.1926: At Fleetwood landed 300 head of halibut.
15.6.1926: At Fleetwood land 170 boxes.
12.1926: Reverted to trawling. Landing at Aberdeen.
6.1927: Fitted out for lining. Landing at Aberdeen.
21.10.1927: With thirty trawlers and one steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 200 tons.
12.12.1927: With forty-three trawlers and two steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 410 tons. This included 45 tons of Iceland fish landed by a German trawler.
25.1.1928: With forty trawlers and two steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 220 tons. This included 16 tons of Iceland fish landed by a German trawler.
25.6.1928: With twenty-eight trawlers and one steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 275 tons.
11.12.1928: With forty-three trawlers and two steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 255 tons. This included 165 tons of White Sea fish landed by two German trawlers.
2.1929: Reverted to trawling. Landing at Aberdeen.
6.1929: Fitted out for lining. Landing at Aberdeen
23.7.1929: With thirty-six trawlers and two steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 440 tons.
2.9.1929: With forty-four trawlers and one steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 395 tons.
2.1930: Reverted to trawling. Landing at Aberdeen.
12.2.1930: With forty-nine trawlers and three steam liners landed an aggregate catch of 380 tons.
26.2.1930: Reported that a company had been formed in London (William Arthur Bennett, chairman, Thomas Thorburn Irvin, managing director) to exploit the fishing opportunities in the Davies Strait, Greenland, particularly halibut. The company was to use motor dories and steam liners to catch the fish and a refrigerated parent ship to freeze the catches. On return to UK, after four to five months, the fish would be defrosted as required to meet market demand.
9.4.1930: In the early hours the mail steamer St. SUNNIVA (864grt/1887)(Capt. Williamson), Leith for Lerwick, stranded in dense fog on the island of Mousa, 11 miles from Lerwick. With difficulty crew and passengers got away in the boats, leaving the steamer abandoned. In Stromness Harbour was FORT JAMES (Sk.Slater) and unaware that the passengers and crew were safe, the Stromness Life-Saving Company was embarked and proceeded to the casualty position, followed by the mail steamer EARL OF ZETLAND (232grt/1877) and the fishery vessel VAILA (28grt/1924). At the scene of the wreck no sign of life was visible and this was reported to the EARL OF ZETLAND which left to search Sandwick. The trawler anchored, at extreme risk, some 500 yds from the shore and put out her boat manned by volunteers. With a line attached they got to within 30 ft of the wreck and found empty boats and debris floating. At that point the EARL OF ZETLAND returned and reported that all had been saved. Returned to Stromness, landed the Life-saving Company and proceeded.
22.4.1930: Landed at Aberdeen.
5.1930: At North Shields, with steam trawlers, ETHEL IRVIN (A355), ELSWICK (A97), FORT WILLIAM (GY712), FLORENCE DOMBEY (A264), JENNY IRVIN (SN21), FLORA TAYLOR (PD444), SAXON (SN22), AUDREY (SN38), NELLIE WILSON (SN108) and drifter CONSOLATION (BK5), converted for lining and other modifications in preparation for a halibut line fishing expedition in Greenland waters. With ETHEL IRVIN to be manned by Aberdeen crews, the remainder by Norwegians with Tyneside engineers. The refrigerated steamer NORTHLAND, 5155grt/1903 (LO29) (Capt.Williams) will act as parent ship for the fleet and the catches will be transferred to her for preparation and refrigeration. NORTHLAND will also fish for cod, the livers to be processed and the fish filleted and salted, waste fish trimmings to be reduced to fish meal. Captain Thorsen of Brevik, Norway will act as leader of the expedition and direct the whole of the fishing operations.
17.5.1930: Sailed North Shields in company with eight other trawlers for Greenland fishing grounds; crew twelve men all told.
9.7.1930: Sold to Crater Steam Fishing Co Ltd, North Shields. Joseph D. Irvin, Monkseaton designated manager.
10.1930: Returned to Aberdeen.
6.5.1935: Sailed North Shields for the fishing grounds. While passing St. Mary’s Island, deckhand George Cole (19) was seen foundering in the water. Bert Jarman who was on watch in the wheelhouse at once altered course, threw a lifebelt towards Cole before jumping into the sea to help him. Another crewman lowered himself over the side and helped bring Cole back onboard. Returned to North Shields, Jarman and Cole taken to Tynemouth Infirmary suffering from shock.
15.4.1932: Landed at Aberdeen.
23.4.1932: Landed at Aberdeen.
17.2.1933: Landed at Aberdeen.
16.2.1936: Grounded in thick fog on the Black Middens rocks in the Tyne estuary. Later refloated and returned to service.
1937: Sold for breaking up.
7.5.1937: Aberdeen registry closed “Vessel broken up”.

Click to enlarge image

S.T. Mary Wetherly A159
Picture courtesy of The David Slinger Collection

Fort James Crew
Picture from the Internet

Changelog
27/12/2008: Page published. 3 revisions since then.
29/10/2014: Picture added.
06/04/2018: Removed FMHT watermark from image.
25/06/2020: Information updated.
23/08/2021: Added image of crew.
27/08/2021: Major update of history and technical details.